Saturday, January 26, 2013

Last saturday, bright and early, my daughter Maja asked
me if we could watch a movie together. I decided to avoid the excruciating pain
of having to flip through Disney XD channel for the gazillionth time and opted
instead to search the movies I recorded on my DVR. I had scheduled a bunch of
Christmas movies, knowing that the day would come when I would need to call in
the heavy hitters of“Rudolph” and
“Santa Clause is coming to Town". As I scanned the list I noticed one movie that
was still unwatched, one I had completely forgotten I had recorded- Willy Wonka
and the Chocolate Factory (yes, the 1971 movie!). Score! Something I would
actually enjoy watching with her. When I was a kid I thought Willy Wonka was
the ultimate sugar rush of movies (even thought it has it’s moments of
freakiness). I personally think it blows “Wreck it Ralph” away, but then again
I’m not 8years old. Anyway, as I sat there on the couch watching August Gloop
get sucked up the clear pipe in the chocolate river I began to wonder why is candy adored by people of all ages, everywhere.

Maybe it’s the countless possibilities. There is such a
range of flavors, colors, and textures in pretty much every confectionary
delight I see. Candy is a real treat for the eyes not just the taste buds. It’s
a creative and expressive art form in my opinion. But there’s more to it than
that, I think it’s the nostalgia that really gets me. Every Saturday afternoon I would walk to our neighborhood
candy store and pick out the perfect piece of candy, the piece that would fit
the mood I was in at the time. If I needed comfort I went for a Hershey bar, if
I wanted a straight forward energy it was something like a watermelon jolly
rancher stick. Then I’d walk home and slowly savor my purchase or if I was
feeling a bit spiteful I’d save it until I got home and wave it in front
of my two younger brother faces. That was probably the bonus, to see the look
on their faces when I had candy and they didn’t. Psyche. But I digress, as I
usually do. It does seem that candy makes the world go round, at least for kids, and for me, it's one of the things that I love to examine and collage. Whether it’s Willy Wonka’s factory or just a trip to the candy
store, I guess I’ll always want candy.
(Opps...forgot to add my sweet shop cards here. If you like these pieces of candy check out the stationary for Teneues)

Over the years I found so many things that inspire me, met
so many people that give me hope to continue on the path of making my art. In doing this blog, I wanted to create a place where I could share many of the things that inspire me and introduce
others to wonderful artist and creative thinkers. I love the saying “make
it and people will come”. It’s kind of what I live by I guess. I try my best to do work that has meaning and purpose not just for myself but for
others too. Just this morning I got a touching email from a woman with a sick child.
She told me the painting I did really helped her feel positive when she was in
the hospital with her daughter. Man, I never expected that kind of connection but it
really reminded me that making art is about reaching out to others. It’s about
putting yourself out there even if it feels extremely vulnerable. Having the courage
to do so takes work and many times we need the help of others. In doing this blog I hope to
explore the many aspects of creativity and I welcome any comments, thoughts,
and contributions. Please feel free to send me anything you’d like to share,
either email me at mariacarluccio@verizon.net,
comment on Facebook (link) or just post a comment below.

*On the right side of
the blog I’ll be posting places the I go when I need a little creative juice.
If you like some of these “creative wandering spots” or think you have
something you’d like to share, feel free to contact me as well.